This forum is still new and may look a bit empty at the moment.
Please don’t hesitate to ask your questions. If you are building a Raw Creative 2.5, planning your build or wondering about parts, setup or assembly, feel free to start a topic.
I will do my best to answer questions and help as much as I can. As more builders join, the forum will grow into a useful place for tips, build discussions and shared experience.
All US Builders,
I am looking around the USA for who can cut the steel plates (3mm and 6mm) for the build. I have heard good words about SendCutSend.com from friends who use them for personal jobs and their employers uses them extensively. My friends say they deliver the product fast and very high quality cuttings with good prices.
I downloaded the drawing from the Rack & Pinion as a test. I had to move each part into its own dxf file. 16 parts from the R&P download produced a minimum cost of $508.16 (USD) including delivery. Powder coating would add to the cost which I didn't ask for on the initial quote. I will also get 15% off my first order by using a link on a youtube.
Are there other sites that I should look at for cutting my plates?
Hi Kevin, Look into Xometry.com . For all plates (powder-coated) the quote was roughly $459 USD (after 10% discount for first time shoppers). I have not used their service before.
I used OshCut for my plates in the USA, total came out to ~$280 before discount code. I marked them as non urgent - meaning they’ll fill the order later but the savings were substantial. I assume because they’ll cut my smaller parts out of leftovers from other jobs
That is actually a very good price, especially considering the cost of steel, laser cutting, gas and labour.
It is roughly what we need to charge for our own plate sets to make a reasonable profit.
Choosing the non-urgent option sounds like a smart way to save some money, especially if they can use leftover material from other jobs.
Thanks for sharing this. It is useful information for other builders in the US!